River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-12-01
CISTERNS FOR FARMS.
Directions for Building Them In = safe an,
Substantial Manner.

Directions for Building Them In = Safe ana
Substantial Manner.
The surface soil is removed to a
depth of eighteen inches to excludI
frost in winter and heat in the sum-
mer. The excavation is made in the
shape of an egg with the upper-third
cut off. 1t should be eight to ten fees
deep. and seven to ten feet in diameter.
The deeper the cistern, the better and
cheaper it is. If soil IS close and conn
pact, the cement may be laid directly
upon it. and no hriek-lining is required,
To do this. large fiat stone is beddS,I
in cement at the bottom, for the wc,rk-
man to stand upon. and for rVst for
the pump. The cement is D'.ade on
water-lime. one part. and clean. sharu
sand, three parts, mixed dr.. first. and
wetted up in small quantities as re-
quired. and can DO used before It sets
hard. The cement IS laid about an inch
thick When tho bottom is covered, a
layer is put in around the wall about =
foot high, and, as it sets very quickly.
rs soon As one strip IS laid another
may be put on above it, until the
whole is completed. In digging, a
shoulder of a foot in width is made on
the top Of the firm sub-soil eighteen
inches. to rest the beams upon. This
is also covered with cement, and the
beams are laid on and the spaces
between them on the shoulder are
filed in with stone, or brick, and
cement, TO the upper level, upon which
the floor rests. i strong floor Of four
inch plank. doubled. with the joints
broken. Is laid upon the beams and
covered with 9 coat Of cement, to ex-
clude surface water; and this floor is
then covered with earth and sodded
over, or a platform is built over it to
stand upon. A manhole should be
made in the cover. large enough for
person 70 90 down when it is necessary
to clean Out the cistern. and this i
broaght up a little above the platform.
and fitted with tight cover. kept
locked 70 avoid danger Of children fall
Tag in.
A force pump should always be
chosen for the cistsrn, 50 that in case
OF uee0 nose may DC Attached, ano
the water carried where it may ~
wanted--to 4 distant trough, or TO ~ 80
part Of the yard or stables.
When the soil Is sandy or yoo.s
gravel. the cis'orn sheald be lin al with
bard sharp bricks lengthwiss, 80 as 10
make wall fur inches o;ck Tbs
floor should Be Of cement. md mo bricks
except a few in the cent ..r will be re-.
qpircd. The bricks S'nouId be thor.
oughly wetted bef0r q thew are nsed
The cement should be spread ali owe,
the surface Of tha bricks, SO as 10 com.
pletely III INC PAGES, and the outside
Of the wall 50 o1ld be plastered as il
goes Up Ear Ch should be packed firmly
against me wall outside TO give a firm
D.1chlhS c resist the pressure of the
water This is an important point,
.Iho Should not be forgotten. When
my -esired height is reached, the bricks
hIe inclined gradually to form the
Siouider for the arch, and the wall Il
then drawn in 10 form the cover, leav.
lag maE-hole in the cen.er. This
Is covered with a large fag-st=ne. The
inside Of the eissern K covered with O
wash coat of clear eement.-zn<yicaA
zOricuIfzlrsSE